Offenders helped clear snow for community service

Offenders help to clear snow from the Oasis Christian Centre in Cefn Fforest as part of their Community Payback.

Offenders doing community service helped out with the snow last week by clearing snow and ice from various places.

As part of their Community Payback scheme, offenders were asked to help clear snow from the grounds, car parks and pathways leading to various buildings.

These included the Ty Darran Care Home in Risca, the Ty Clyd Residential Home in Bargoed, Ystrad Mynach Day Centre, Brithdir Community Centre, and the Oasis Christian Centre in Cefn Fforest.

Councillor Lyn Ackerman, cabinet member for the environment at Caerphilly County Borough Council said: “This is just one excellent example of how Community Payback has been able to benefit members of our community.

“Projects such as this are vital if our residents are to see that justice is being done in their communities, and it is pleasing to see that community groups are making use of the Community Payback hours available to us in Caerphilly county borough each year.”

David Bidgood of Gwent Probation Service said: “Offenders who have been found guilty of a criminal offence by the court can be sentenced to between 40 and 300 hours of Community Payback on work tasks that benefit local communities under the direct supervision of Gwent Probation Service.

“The order is a punishment and requires the offender to undertake work in public places wearing an orange high visibility vest with ‘Community Payback’ embroidered on the back. It is demanding on the offender and requires them to undertake tasks nominated by the public.”

For more information about Community Payback and to submit a project or scheme that could benefit from help visit www.caerphilly.gov.uk/saferccb or call Gwent Probation Service on 01633 822 007.